What happened last: Sara and Jules use the lab computer to find their brother.
"I don't have an address, only a company. I need to…"
"Don't tell me you'll hack the computer of a company."
"I've no idea how to do that…do you?"
"No!"
"All right, we need a plan b."
"Write down the company name, we'll call it."
"That will take ages."
"Maybe but we'll…"
"Sara, Jules, are you working overtime?"
Both women froze for a second before they turned. David Hodges was in the door frame, watching them. Why was he here? Didn't he have a home? No, he didn't. He still lived with his mother. Why wasn't he there?
"Uhm…" Sara wanted to throw something at his face.
"Yes, she helps me. I need some information about a case and the system is still a kind of labyrinth for me. That's why I asked her to get me the information when I met her on her way out." Jules smiled.
"If you want, I can show you how the system works…in case Sara wants to go home."
"Thanks Hodges, I'm sure Jules will know after this lesson how to use it. She's a smart woman."
"Of course she is…I didn't want to imply anything else…I hope you know that…" He flushed while he stuttered.
"Of course I do. Thanks David."
"I'll go…and leave you…alone…"
"See you around, David."
Sara waited until Hodges was gone. "See you around, David? Are you flirting?"
"You're not happy with Sofia I thought I might replace her with David."
"Stay with Sofia! Please!"
"She's smug and a witch."
"Come on, you know I didn't mean it this way…I promise I'll be nicer…"
"Because you don't want David by my side?"
"Because Sofia makes you happy." Sara sighed. "And she isn't a freak she's all right…okay, she's more than all right…I like her and you like her."
"I'm in love with her." Jules smiled. "And I'm glad you like her."
"It will make you even more happier when I tell you I've all information, we can leave the computer."
"Thanks God." Jules got up, waited until Sara switched off the computer and put the piece of paper in her pocket.
"You come to my place later?"
"Yes. Get some sleep. I'll be there around seven."
"Okay…it doesn't matter when you're not alone."
Jules smiled. They were in the hallway and walls had ears, so it was better not to mention names. "Thanks."
"See you later." Sara stroke softly over Jules' arm. Now was really time to go to bed. They got what they wanted.
"Where's Jules?" Sara saw only Sofia when she opened the door.
"She'll be here any minute, had to work a little bit longer. Am I welcome without her?"
"Stupid question, Deputy Chief." Sara let Sofia in. "You know why she'll be here?"
"The two of you found information about your brother on the internet." Sofia raised her eyebrows. This was her official story. If anybody asked her she had no idea how exactly Sara and Jules got the information about their brother.
"Yes." Sara grinned. "You know the truth."
"This is my truth."
"No, that's the truth of the Deputy Chief. When you're here you're not the Deputy Chief, you're the girlfriend of my little sister…she flirted with Hodges today."
"Who?"
"Jules."
"No way!"
"She did. To make him leave the room and don't ask any stupid questions. I think he has a little crush on her."
"He touches her he can look for a new job."
"Aren't you supposed to separate private life and job?"
"No!" Sofia hissed. "Not when it comes to my girlfriend."
"Good." That was all she wanted to know.
Sofia sat on the sofa. After she had been here a few times she didn't feel awkward anymore when she was at Sara's home.
"Are you all right with Jules asking for your brother?"
"Yes."
"Really? I know you're not the one who loves to talk or share details about her past."
"She's my sister it's her brother too."
"Half-brother."
"I've no idea how Matt sees it but for me Jules is my sister. Not half-sister. If anybody had told me a year ago there was a daughter of my father, I wouldn't have been interested in having her in my life, calling her my sister. But when Jules told me exactly that there was something…I liked her. Even when I made it not that easy for her when she joined our case, I liked her. And I could understand her, could understand how she felt chasing a family she never had. It's not only that I help her to get the piece of her puzzle of life together, I do the same with my life while I help her. You can call me selfish if you want."
"No, I'm nice to you. Thanks." Sofia took the coke Sara handed her. "And I'm glad you like Jules. You're very important to her, Sara. I can see that ever day."
"I'm sure Gil would tell you the same about me. After all these years of…" Sara stopped. She was about to tell Sofia some really private things, she wasn't sure if she was prepared for this. She wasn't the type, who shared her feelings.
Sofia smiled like she understood. "You can stop just there if you want."
"I didn't have something what you can call a family for many years Gil changed that, we were a little family. I was happy, really happy for the first time in my life but with Jules…a family is more than two people. Maybe I always wanted a bigger family and she made this possible."
"She's amazing."
"She is." The doorbell rang. "Do you want to open the door?"
"It's your home."
"Yeah but maybe you need a second with her."
"No, I'll kiss her right in front of your eyes." Sofia grinned when Sara made a grimace.
"Hi, sorry I'm late." Jules hugged Sofia and kissed her.
"That's all right, I had some fun with your sister who doesn't like it when we kiss by the way."
"Not?"
"No. She rolled her eyes when I told her I want to kiss you when you're here."
"Did she? I kissed her too – on the cheek but she got a kiss first. Don't play old-fashioned, big sis."
"Get on the computer." Sara grumbled. She wasn't old-fashioned. "We've some work to do, it's not a social call."
"She's grumpy sometimes." Sofia sat next to Jules on the computer. "What are we looking for?"
"Matt's employee." Sara started the internet. "We found out where he works maybe we can find his telephone number on the internet."
"International economy company. If he isn't the cleaner your brother could be the one with big money."
"We leave the money, power and influence hunt to you."
"I didn't become Deputy Chief because of one of those three reasons, Sara."
"The two of you stop it now or you'll both be in trouble with me." Jules stopped them before they could start an arguing. "Can we let their web pages search for Matt, Sara?"
"No. We need to click through every department of their company…and all their subsidiary enterprises."
"Too complicated." Jules took the phone and dialed the number of the information desk. A few seconds later she had a connection. It was past seven in the evening but an international company didn't only work from nine to five.
"Hey I'm Jules Weinberg, a few weeks ago I met one of your employer, Matt Sidle. He told me if I'm interested in doing some business I should contact him after I've finished my move. Unfortunately I lost his card when I moved. Could you please give me his number so I can contact him?"
"Matt Sidle?"
"Yes."
"I hope you moved to Europe, his office is in Berlin."
"That's no problem."
"Alright, it's 0049 30 8888 7777 55."
"Thanks, you helped me a lot."
"You're welcome."
Jules put the phone away and took a deep breath. "Does your telephone you send your number when you call somebody, Sara?"
"No."
"Good. I found out where he is. He's in Berlin."
"Berlin?"
"Like Germany?" Sofia knew that it was impossible that Sara's and Jules' brother was in Vegas too but why had he be so far away?
"Yes like Germany. At least that's what I guess. They have an office there. Can you check their number, Sara?"
"One moment." Sara googled the company in Germany. "0049 30 888 7777 00."
"Sounds like she gave me the right number. Wow."
"He left the country." Sara wasn't sure what to think or to do. It wasn't like their brother was around the corner, not even in the same state or country. He was like…what? Even further away than Paris. If he lived there for a while they hadn't been that much far away when she lived in Paris. Crazy.
"I got him." Jules pointed on the screen. "I think." She had searched the web page of the company in Berlin and got a picture of a Matt Sidle.
"That's Matt." There were so many feelings that came up. Thirty years older but Sara was absolutely sure this was her brother. No doubt about it. She had recognized him even without his name under the photo.
"Are you all right?" Jules put her hand on Sara's arm.
"Yeah…it's just…it's been a while that I saw him…he hasn't changed. Well of course he looks older but…he's still the same."
"He looks a lot like you."
"Does he?"
"Yes."
"God…there's Matt…he's the manager of the business in Berlin…shall we have a look if we find him on Facebook?"
"Sure. I'd like to call him but I doubt he'll work on a Saturday. We have to do that on Monday."
"Are you sure we want that?"
"I do. I can't talk for you, Sara."
"I'm…I think I need a night to realize that he might be back in my life. And we have to check the time because of the time difference."
"You know how much the difference is?"
"Should be the same like Paris, nine hours. Ahead of us."
"So if we want to call him during his work time…we have to get up early."
"Yes."
"We can try it after you finish your shift on Monday and before I start to work. Seven, that makes four in the afternoon. Even he isn't available we might be able to talk to his secretary."
"I've got him." Sara had found Matt on Facebook but he didn't share any information with them. "We could add him."
"And tell him we're his sisters? Okay he should know when he sees your name…maybe he looked you up too."
"And didn't find me because of the nick name I use."
"Possible. Add me."
"Why?"
"So I can see what you do."
"You can come over and see it for yourself. I don't really use my account, it was handy when I was gone to stay in contact with the guys. Or do you plan to leave any time soon, Jules?"
"No."
"See."
"Spoilsport."
"Adult."
"Honey, do something!"
"I'll stay out of this." Sofia raised her hands. There was no way she'd get in this conversation. She was a listener.
"You can add Sofia."
"She doesn't have an account."
"Really?"
"No I don't need that. I can keep in touch with my friends by mail or phone. They're all around Vegas, no need for Facebook. No Facebook, no Twitter, no whatever else there is to tell people you know and don't know what you do. It's a safety reason. You tell them you're on holidays and dozen of people know where to rob the next apartment."
"Police officer." Jules sighed.
"She's right. And I'd prefer to talk to Matt than send him a friends request."
"Okay, then let us call him on Monday. A brother in Berlin. A family meeting will be very difficult."
"If he doesn't come to California or Nevada, yes."
"I don't mind a holiday trip to Europe." Jules looked at Sofia.
"Shouldn't you ask Sara to join you?"
"She has to talk about that with Grissom first. And I'd like to have you by my side if you don't mind."
"Even if she didn't want to go with your words you made her come with you." Sara chuckled. "You know that, Miss Psychologist."
"I don't play my girlfriend."
"No, of course not."
"If she did it worked. I'll come with you. And so will you, you won't let your sister go there alone."
"Are you telling me what to do?"
"I ask you, I beg you, I tell you, whatever works. Choose one."
"You beg me. Jules, can we make the decision after we talked to him? Maybe he doesn't want any contact." If he and Jules had called her a year ago she wasn't sure if had wanted the contact. She had no idea how he took their childhood she had no idea if he had finished with his childhood and started a life without their past.
"Sure. His decision."
"And no matter what his decision is we'll get through it. No matter what he'll say you have a sister."
Jules smiled. "Are you doing the job of the psychologist now?"
"Am I any good?"
"Perfect." Jules hugged her. Sara was right. No matter what Matt would say she had a sister and this sister was there for her. An amazing bond they built in a short time.
Sara swallowed. Was it right what she was about to do? Could she handle the possible consequences?
"We don't have to do this." Jules got her arm around Sara. She knew it was harder for Sara than for her. For herself it was an adventure, a new piece of the puzzle of the family she didn't know. For Sara it was a step back to her childhood and as much as Jules knew about Sara's childhood it wasn't a good one. If she hesitated and was unsure if she wanted to go back there, Jules could understand her.
"No, we'll do it."
"Sure?"
"Yes."
"I don't want you to…have any problems because of this. I'm afraid you might suffer."
"If I have nightmares you'll have to come over and make sure I'm fine until Grissom is back." She tried to smile.
"I'll do that." Jules was serious. "I'll stay with you that's no problem at all. Whatever it takes to make it better or easier for you."
"Thanks." She took her phone. A little bit after six in the morning here in Las Vegas, after three in the afternoon in Berlin. "Let's do it." She dialed the number Jules got from the woman the other day. She got a secretary on the phone, who answered in German so Sara didn't understand a word.
"Hi, I'm Sara…do you speak English?"
"Of course. How can I help you?"
"I'd like to talk to Matt Sidle."
"Are you a business partner?"
"No, no, I'm…family."
"Mister Sidle is a conference right now, it can take probably another half an hour. Can I give him your number so he can call you back?"
"Yes." Sara gave the secretary her number.
"I hate to wait." Jules got up and walked around the room.
"Aren't therapists supposed to be patient?"
"I'm not working."
Sara smiled. "Want a coffee?"
"Am I not jumpy enough?"
"Don't you associate coffee with relaxing?"
Jules furrowed her brows. "You really start to sound like a therapist. Did you read books about my profession?"
"Hey, my baby sis is a therapist, I want to know some things about her job, how it works and so on. Yes I bought a book or two."
"Cute."
"You got pretty good in the CSI work yourself."
"I work with them a lot, I don't want to destroy evidence when I'm at a scene."
"Very wise."
"Can you teach me some of the things you do? Not the different things, easy stuff like lifting a finger print, how to compare them the easiest way."
"Sure. Do you want to change your job?"
"No, I want to back up my sister if she needs help. I don't want her to be annoyed when I'm at a scene because she thinks I waltz through all the evidence and make her job harder. I know you that that first, no need to deny it."
Sara laughed. "All right, I'll teach you some tricks. Grissom can teach you a lot about bugs."
"No offense but I'm not a big fan of all those little creepy monsters, that make their way in my apartment – unwanted."
"He can give you a bug collection for your birthday."
Jules looked blank at Sara. "There are such things as bug collections? Are you serious?"
"There are all sorts of things, Jules."
"Tell him I'm happy when he just comes around with you."
"All right. No roaches? He trains them for races."
"Please." Jules made a grimace. She didn't want roaches in her apartment, she was happy when nothing smaller than a cat was in there. And so far Justice hadn't made his way to her apartment and until he did, it had to be an animal free household – apart from Mira and Hank, who were welcome.
"He's your brother-in-law."
"You married him."
"I had no other choice."
"How's that?"
"He asked me while we were surrounded by bees. He told me they're not aggressive, I can let them sit on my hand and guess what happened – I got sting. He was so sorry and then he said: maybe we should get married – what do you think? I was so stunned but managed to agree. Because we were wearing protection suits our kiss became a little bit awkward - without touching each others lips." Sara smiled when she remembered that day. For so many years she had waited for that question and when he finally asked it, she almost wasn't able to answer.
"You guys are two of a kind."
"We complete each other."
"In a very weird way, yes."
"Like we do?"
"Yes."
"I've to say, Jules, nobody beside Grissom made it ever that fast into my heart. I haven't figured how you did that, probably played me with your therapist psychologist tricks but I won't complain. I like it just the way it is."
"Good to know." Jules sat next to Sofia and placed her head on Sara's shoulder.
"How did you know Sofia is the right one for you?"
"Huh?" Jules sat up again.
"Did you like her right away?"
"I liked working with her."
"That's it?"
